Clown in a Cornfield (2025)

• Director: Eli Craig
• Screenplay: Carter Blanchard, Eli Craig
• Cast: Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson McCormac, Kevin Durand, Will Sasso
• Cinematography: Brian Pearson
• Score: Brandon Roberts, Marcus Trumpp
• Genre: Slasher
• Runtime: 96 minutes

There’s not been a dearth of clown-related films on the cinematic landscape of late; last year, we had ‘Joker: Folie à Deux‘ and ‘Terrifier 3‘ coming out a week apart. ‘Clown in a Cornfield‘ does exactly what it says on the tin. But any attempt to make this more interesting than the premise suggests was lost among the sheaves of corn.

Arriving in the small town of Kettle Springs, the recently bereaved Dr. Maybrook (Aaron Abrams) and his daughter, Quinn (Katie Douglas), set up home in a dusty old house. There is an odd vibe hanging in the air. Like it’s the town time forgot.

While her dad fills the vacancy of local doctor, Quinn falls in with a bunch of bratty teenage pranksters who create mock horror YouTube videos where one of them dresses up as Frendo (a mascot of the nearby corn syrup factory) and pretends to slaughter the others. All harmless fun until they realise someone else is masquerading as the creepy clown. With not so pure intentions.

It feels reminiscent of a B-movie; a shoestring budget, terrible performances, inexpensive looking practical effects. Maybe if the ‘B’ stood for ‘bloody awful’. I didn’t entirely have high expectations going in but boy, was this a stinker! The movie tries to juggle many balls; developing the fractured relationship between Quinn and her father (hampered by a lack of acting ability from Ms. Douglas), the horror element (light on frights) and some vague Gen Z social commentary (which comes off as preachy). Eli Craig, director and screenwriter, has dropped these balls. What a clown.

My rating: 4 / 10